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Frampton wanted to meet Santa Cruz at Windsor Park in Belfast this summer, but hopes of a home clash faded as the Californian-based Mexican appeared to go off the idea of travelling across the Atlantic.

Santa Cruz said his team did not think he would get a fair shot at defending his title in Belfast, while it also emerged there were issues surrounding a visa for his father.

But in a new interview with Villainfy Media, Santa Cruz insists he is still keen on fighting in Northern Ireland.

"He (Carl) is a great guy, and if it was up to me I would have gone over there," Santa Cruz said.

Carl Frampton celebrates his win against Leo Santa Cruz last summer in New York (Image: Getty)

"I said to him that we had two great fights and you're a great fighter.

"I would love to go over there but it is not just up to me. It is up to my team and my promoter and also my dad who can't travel because he has no visa right not.

"If we fix that first then I would love to go over there."

Frampton is planning his next move after last week's scheduled WBC world title eliminator with Andres Gutierrez was cancelled.